EDITORIAL: A good run for the UAH Chargers in the NCAA Division II hoops finals

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama _ The University of Alabama-Huntsville has been through a lot this past year: the fatal shooting in a faculty meeting, the recent resignation announcement by President David Williams, disruptions from campus construction.

Those distractions were put aside this week when the UAH Chargers basketball team made a 1,000-mile trek to Springfield, Mass., for the NCAA Division II Elite Eight championship.

The outcome wasn't what UAH faithful had hoped for.

The Chargers lost an overtime thriller to Minnesota State Mankato, 95-91.

As Chargers coach Lennie Acuff said in Times columnist Mark McCarter's column Thursday, "UAH didn't lose it as much as MSU won it."

Despite the narrow loss, the university and the greater Huntsville community have much to be proud of.

Just making it to the Elite Eight brought some upbeat news at a time when UAH needed it.

The university hosted the regional playoffs earlier this month, which also drew positive exposure to the campus.

As the players pick up the pieces from Wednesday's loss, they can be proud of the team's stellar year:

• It won South Regional and Gulf South Conference titles.

• Most wins in a season as an NCAA Division II team (29 wins, 5 losses).

• First Elite Eight appearance.

• No. 4 ranking in the country.

Not since 1981 has UAH made the final playoffs. That was under coach Kayo Willis when UAH was in the NAIA division.

Acuff said his players gave it their all. "They (Minnesota) had to play their best to beat us." And he had nothing but praise for UAH fans, many of whom made the 21-hour road trip to Springfield.

"They gave us unbelievable support since Day One," he said. "I hope we made them proud. Words can never express how thankful we are and how they made these kids feel."

Huntsville is proud to have the UAH Chargers as one of its home teams.